Andrés Segovia (1893 - 1987)

Born 21 Feb 1893 in Linares, Jaén, Andalusia, Spain

Husband of Francisca (Madriguera y Rodón) Madriguera — married 1935 (to 1948) in Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay

Died 2 Jun 1987 at age 94 in Madrid, Spain

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Biography

Andrés Segovia is Notable.

Andrés Segovia Torres, 1st Marquis of Salobreña was his complete name and title. (Historically, the first surname was the father's, and the second the mother's surname.) Parents were Bonifacio Segovia and Rosa Torres.

Although reference books differ as to his birthdate, Segovia gave it as Feb. 21, 1893. His father, a lawyer, wanted the boy to follow a career in law and was horrified to find that at an early age his son had fallen in love with the guitar. Piano and cello lessons were unsuccessful in diverting him from the traditional Spanish instrument. His father, the musician liked to recall in later years, broke two or three guitars before giving up the attempt to discourage his son's affection for an instrument regarded at that time as fit to be played only in cafes by gypsies.

In spite of his father's misgivings, Segovia became a world renowned classical guitarist whose contribution to the modern-romantic repertoire not only included commissions but also his own transcriptions of classical and baroque works. He is remembered for his expressive performances: his wide palette of tone, and his distinctive musical personality, phrasing and style. He toured and taught extensively between 1909 and 1987.

Segovia's main musical aesthetic preferences were music of the early 20th century (and turn of the century) especially in the Spanish romantic-modern and nationalist style. Segovia viewed teaching as vital to his mission of propagating the guitar and gave master classes throughout his career.

Segovia's first wife was Adelaida Portillo (marriage in 1918). Segovia's second wife (marriage in 1935) was the pianist Paquita Madriguera (1900 - 1965), a child prodigy pianist and student of Enrique Granados. From 1944, he maintained a relationship with Brazilian singer and guitarist Olga Praguer Coelho, which was to last for over a decade. In 1962 Segovia married Emilia Magdalena Corral Sancho, a 22 year-old student of his. They had one son, Carlos Andrés Segovia, the current Marquis of Salobreña, when Segovia was 77 years-old (a son, Andres, and a daughter, Beatrice, by Paquita, were born more than 3 decades before Carlos Andres.).

Segovia was awarded many prizes and honours, including doctorates honoris causa, from ten universities. On 24 June 1981, he was ennobled by King Juan Carlos I, who gave Segovia the hereditary title of Marqués de Salobreña (English: Marquis of Salobreña) in the nobility of Spain in recognition of his contributions to music and the arts. He received the Danish Sonning Award in 1974, the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 1985, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986.

On April 8,1987, three days before a scheduled recital at Carnegie Hall, the Spanish musician was admitted to Cabrini Hospital in New York City because of heart irregularities. The remainder of his United States tour was canceled, a pacemaker was implanted and he was flown home to Spain. He died on June 2, 1987 from a heart attack.

Sources

See also:

* Wikipedia: Andres_Segovia

* Wikidata: Item Q192529, en:Wikipedia

* Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 28 January 2021), memorial page for Andrés Segovia (21 Feb 1893–2 Jun 1987), Find a Grave Memorial no. 7563177, citing Museo Andrés Segovia, Sevilla, Provincia de Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain ; Maintained by Find A Grave .